Santa Maria dermatologist is forced to return 818,756.11 euros for improper surgeries
The dermatologist Miguel Alpalhão, of Hospital of Santa Maria, in Lisboa, must return 818,756.11 euros. The amount refers to payments received for 511 surgeries carried out under an additional production regime between 2021 and 2025. The total amount billed for these procedures reached 901,851.17 euros, but part was considered undue after an audit. The case gained prominence with the revelation of irregularities in the classification and payment of surgeries. The decision separates this doctor’s case from other professionals in the dermatology service due to the amount involved.
Inspeção-Geral das Atividades on Saúde prepared a report that highlighted the irregularities. The audit covered surgical activity in additional production and patient classification in the period analyzed. Autorizações issued by different boards of directors of the hospital have sustained payments over the years. Entre those responsible include names such as Daniel Ferro, in the presidency until 2022, and Ana Paula Martins, who held the position in 2023 and currently holds office in the government. The current board of directors, led by Carlos Martins, has adopted control measures from 2024.
IGAS audit identifies irregular payments
Inspeção-Geral das Atividades on Saúde concluded that part of the incentives paid to the dermatologist did not meet the appropriate criteria. In 511 surgeries, the doctor earned 901,851.17 euros in total. Deste amount, 818,756.11 euros were paid unduly according to the report. The surgeries took place over several years and included additional procedures, some carried out on Saturdays. The hospital did not comment on specific details of the audit, but confirmed the application of reinforced controls since 2024. The suspension of additional surgeries in the service occurred after initial reporting on the topic.
Unidade Local of Saúde of Santa Maria separated the return process relating to Miguel Alpalhão from the cases of other professionals. The size of the values justifies the measure, according to the administration. IGAS will monitor the replacement of amounts identified as undue. The objective is to guarantee the regularization of payments made based on previous authorizations. The hospital reinforced internal mechanisms to prevent similar situations from recurring in the future.
- The dermatologist earned 901,851.17 euros in 511 surgeries in the period from 2021 to 2025
- The IGAS audit considered 818,756.11 euros paid improperly
- Authorizations from previous boards of directors supported payments
- The hospital has suspended additional surgeries in the dermatology service from 2024
- IGAS monitors the refund process
Doctor’s response to return demand
Miguel Alpalhão has not yet returned any amount. The dermatologist rejects the obligation to refund the amount to Unidade Local of Saúde of Santa Maria. Ele argues that he received it for the procedures he actually performed under the additional regime. The doctor considers that the payment corresponded to the work performed and disputes the classification as undue for amounts higher than those actually received. Até At the moment, there is no record of payment from him.
The case dates back to initial revelations made in 2025. At the time, it was found that the doctor had received almost one million euros in the period, with emphasis on high amounts for a few days of additional work. The hospital’s previous administration had already questioned the amounts, but the authorizations continued. The current council has implemented changes to provide greater control over additional production. The doctor’s suspension from duty occurred at an earlier time, with loss of salary, according to reports at the time.
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Measures adopted by Hospital of Santa Maria
The current administration of Hospital of Santa Maria took several actions after identifying the irregularities. Desde 2024, the hospital reinforced the mechanisms for verifying surgical activity on an additional basis. The suspension of surgeries of this type in the dermatology service was one of the first concrete measures. The audit request by IGAS integrated this set of correction actions. The hospital also separated the individual file Miguel Alpalhão for specific treatment due to the high value.
IGAS recommended the return of amounts unduly paid. The inspection entity will monitor compliance with the replacement. The hospital did not detail deadlines or next steps in the process, but confirmed its intention to regularize the situation. Outros service professionals also face refund requests, but in a collective process with different values. The focus on the case of Alpalhão reflects the individual scale of the payments determined.
Context of surgeries in additional production
The surgeries took place as part of additional production in the largest public hospital in the country. Este regime allows procedures to be carried out outside normal hours to reduce waiting lists. In the case analyzed, the classification of surgical procedures generated the questioned payments. The audit highlighted flaws in the coding and approval of procedures. Vários Boards of directors authorized the activity over four years. The change in management brought greater scrutiny to these processes.
The dermatologist was part of the dermatology service of Hospital of Santa Maria. The procedures included different types of surgeries, with emphasis on the volume performed on specific days. Relatos previous ones mentioned high values concentrated on a few working Saturdays. The current administration no longer allows this type of additional activity on the service without strict controls. The case served as an internal review of payment and classification protocols.
Dermatologist Miguel Alpalhão remains obliged to return 818,756.11 euros in accordance with the determination linked to the audit. The process remains ongoing with monitoring by IGAS. The hospital maintains its position that the payments did not meet all required criteria. The doctor disputes the requirement and states that the value corresponds to work carried out. Até As of this date, there is no indication of an effective refund of the amount.
